About Sri Lanka

ACCOMMODATION:

It is strongly recommended that you reserve all your accommodation as far in advance as possible, since availability is at a premium.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

With effect from 1st January 2012, all Holiday or Business travelers to Sri Lanka must have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entering in to Sri Lanka. Please visit http://www.eta.gov.lk for more information.
When applying ETA by third parties payments are to be made through the arrangement made in website www.eta.gov.lk and obtain acknowledgement of ETA application. Any payments made to other websites or agencies are not valid to process a valid ETA. Therefore, always ensure that the payments made by accessing to Sri Lanka ETA website and avoid making repayment at the port of entry to Sri Lanka.

BEST TIME TO GO

Best time to travel to Sri Lanka is between the main rainy seasons. The period from November to April is the driest season on the south west coast and up in the hills. Here, some of the best beaches and many other places of tourist interest are located. Therefore, period between November and April is the best time to visit this region and this period is also considered as tourist season in Srilanka. May to September is the best time to visit east coast, as it is dry during this period. Hence, Sri Lanka is round-the-year destination-there is always a good time to visit at least some part of the country.

CLIMATE

Tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Sri Lanka is tropical, with distinct dry and wet seasons. The seasons are slightly complicated by having two monsoons. From May to August the Yala monsoon brings rain to the island’s southwestern half, while the dry season here lasts from December to March. The southwest has the highest rainfall – up to 4000mm a year. The Maha monsoon blows from October to January, bringing rain to the North and East, while the dry season is from May to September. The North and East are comparatively dry, with around 1000mm of rain annually. There is also an inter-monsoonal period in October and November when rain can occur in many parts of the island.

Colombo and the low-lying coastal regions have an average temperature of 27°C. At Kandy (altitude 500m), the average temperature is 20°C, while NuwaraEliya (at 1889m) has a temperate 16°C average. The sea stays at around 27°C all year.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

Specialized travel-medicine clinics are your best source of information; they stock all available vaccines and will be able to give specific recommendations for you and your trip. The doctors will take into account factors such as past vaccination history, the length of your trip, activities you may be undertaking and underlying medical conditions, such as pregnancy.

Most vaccines don’t give immunity until at least two weeks after they’re given, so visit a doctor four to eight weeks before departure. Ask your doctor for an International Certificate of Vaccination (aka the ‘yellow booklet’), which will list all the vaccinations you’ve received.

The only vaccine required by international regulations is yellow fever. Proof of vaccination will only be required if you have visited a country in the yellow-fever zone within the six days before entering Sri Lanka.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

There are many public and private hospitals; nursing homes and other institutions providing medical services in the city of Colombo and in all other cities throughout the country. The professional standards of doctors, surgeons and other medical professionals are on par with international standards. The Major health care institutions found in Colombo and suburbs are follows. Colombo General Hospital Sri Jaywardenapura, Kalubowila

FOOD AND DRINK

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Bottled water and a variety of mineral waters are available at most hotels. Unpasteurised milk should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Pasteurised and sterilised milk is available in some hotels and shops. Avoid dairy products made with unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

CLOTHING

There are a few things that should be taken into consideration when visiting Sri Lanka. The country has a tropical climate and a high percentage of the population is Buddhist. Therefore your choice of clothing should not only be appropriate for the weather but also show respect for the beliefs and traditions of the locals.

Light cotton dresses/cloths are most suited.

A wide-brimmed beach hat and sunglasses, comfortable shoes/sandals.

In the hill country a Pullover is advisable.

Visitors should be decently clad when visiting any place of worship. Beachwear is NOT suitable for temples and shrines. All visitors to Buddhist and Hindu temples are expected to remove footwear and hats. Also shoulders and knees should be covered.

Long trousers/Shoes for gents are preferred by hotels during dinner.

Nude and topless sunbathing is prohibited.

COMMUNICATION

Communication facilities are aplenty in Sri Lanka. There are many Communication Centers, Post offices, Cyber Cafes, in Colombo and in other cities and towns. Internet Services, IDD, Fax and many other facilities are available at above-mentioned places.

LOCAL TRANSPORT

Travel by the public transport system is not for the faint hearted. Most of the buses and trains are of poor standard, generally uninsured and are over crowded. Further, regular delays may be experienced. Prices should be negotiated prior for journeys by unmetered taxis or TukTuk’s.

SWIMMING AND SUNBATHING

We do not recommend swimming in the ocean if a RED flag is displayed. If there is a RED flag, this means there are strong waves, currents and it is unsafe.

Please be careful when going out in the sun for the first few days of your holiday, as the tropical sun can cause sunburns. Always use a high factor sun cream and remember to drink plenty of bottled water.

LOCAL CUSTOMS

The traditional greeting is by placing your hands together (as if to pray) and saying ‘AYUBOWAN’ which means ‘may you have a long life’. The same can be used when saying good-bye.

Generally locals are very friendly and will often offer assistance if required. Most locals are able to understand and speak simple English.

PHOTOGRAPHY

It is considered disrespectful to pose with your back to a Buddha statue/ picture when taking photos. It is always advisable to ask permission when taking pictures in places of worship or of local people.

Many historical and holy places levy a small charge for cameras and video cameras.

TIPPING

Tipping is customary, but not obligatory. In restaurants and hotels a 10% service charge is automatically added to your bill. However, if you feel that you have enjoyed very good service, an additional tip can be considered. You may wish to leave your hotel tipping until your departure, as most hotels often pool all tips amongst all staff. For Guests who are on tour, should you wish to tip your driver/guide, the amount is entirely at your discretion.

TOUTS

Like in most tourist destinations you may (or should we say will) be approached by touts or beach hawkers with offers to show you the sights or local attractions. A polite, but firm ‘NO’ will suffice to ward off their attentions.

Travel Map

SRI LANKA INFORMATION

Legislative capital:

Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte

Area:

65,610 sq km (Land: 64,630 sq km, Water: 980 sq km)

Population:

21,481,334 (July 2012 est.)

Time difference:

GMT+5.5 hrs(10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Currency:

Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR)

Independence Day:

4thFebruary (1948)

CURRENCY REGULATIONS

Visitors to Sri Lanka bringing in more than US$10,000 should declare the amount to the Customs on arrival. All unspent rupees converted from foreign currencies can be re-converted to the original currency on departure as long as encashment receipts can be produced.

CUSTOMS FORMALITIES AND REGULATIONS

The Sri Lanka custom regulations are strict to be honest. As a visitor, entering Sri Lanka at the Airport, seaport or by road, you are by law required to make proper declaration of prohibited or durable goods that you may have in your possession.
You are allowed to bring into the country duty free 1.5 liters of spirits, two bottles of wine, a quarter-liter of toilet water, and a small quantity of perfume and souvenirs with a value not exceeding US $250. The import of personal equipment such as cameras and laptop computers is allowed but must be declared on arrival. However, personal equipment must be taken out of the country upon the visitor’s departure. The import of non-prescription drugs and pornography of any form is an offence.

Prohibited:

dangerous drugs or narcotic substances

pornographic or seditious materials

any material ridiculing any religious belief.

Restricted:

fire arms, ammunitions, explosives and weapons

pharmaceuticals and medicines, except for personal use

goods for commercial or trade purposes, except trade samples

plants, fruits, birds and their products. In case of import, a permit from the Director General of Agriculture of Sri Lanka as well as a Phytosanitary Certificate must be obtained prior to travel. If failing to present these document, materials will be collected and destroyed by the Plant Quarantine Authority

CREDIT CARDS

Many hotels and shops accept reputed Credit Cards. No surcharge should be permitted for its use. Cash advances are possible against Credit Cards in certain banks. MasterCard and Visa are the most commonly accepted Cards. Other major cards such as American Express and Diners Club are also accepted.

INTERNATIONAL MONEY TRANSFERS

Telegraphic transfer using a major or agency with branches worldwide such as ANZ grindlays or Thomas Cook is, all things being equal, efficient and fast. You can transfer money via Western Union at Seylan Bank.

BANKING FACILITIES

Banking facilities have been grown and widened tremendously to cope with the sophisticated needs of today's businessman. Sri Lankan and foreign banks provide an expanding range of services to investors.

Banking hours

National banking hours are from 0900 hrs to 1500 hrs on weekdays.

Banking hours may be different at private banks.

Teller machines (ATM) are operated throughout the day.

Reputed credit and charge cards are widely accepted by shops in Sri Lanka.

WORKING HOURS

Normal working Hours are from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday. Sundays and public holidays are not working days.

VOLTAGE

230-240 Volts 50cycles AC

LANGUAGES

Sinhala (official and national language) 74%, Tamil (national language) 18%, other 8%
Note: English, spoken competently by about 10% of the population, is commonly used in government and is referred to as the link language in the constitution